The American Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice says the UN has received terrific report of looting and burning in the Abyei region of Sudan after it captured by northern Sudanese troops last week. Ms. Rice said large numbers of people have fled Abyei and were now moving south in dangerous circumstances. Meanwhile Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has said he will not withdraw troops from the disputed Abyei border region seized over the weekend. He said the area belonged to the north. He added his army would respond to any possible provocation from the army of South Sudan, due to become an independent state on 9 July. Northern troops seized the territory after southern forces had ambushed a convoy of its forces in the area, killing 22 people.